Our take on: NASA's new course & United on homeless

October 1, 2010

NASA's new course

Congress finally brought an end to months of drift in America's manned space program when members settled this week on a new and better plan for NASA.

The plan yields to pressure from President Obama to give up on NASA's Constellation program, which is billions of dollars over budget and years behind schedule in its mission to return astronauts to the moon. It promotes commercial space launches, another White House priority.

Private launches could ease the sting for Florida's Space Coast from the end of the shuttle program by opening new possibilities for the region's economy.

But the plan also moves up the target for launching a new NASA rocket to 2016. That should help the agency maintain the initiative in exploration it might have lost under Mr. Obama's original plan to put off launches until the 2020s.

Now that NASA has a plan, Congress must make sure the agency has the dollars it needs to meet its goals.

United on homeless

After the economy punched it in the mouth, the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness seemed poised to redeem its lackluster performance and pursue its audacious promise to curb homelessness within a decade by merging with the established Homeless Services Network of Central Florida.

But that deal soured. Another stab to help the homeless looked hopeless. But the commission's smart partnership Wednesday proved the Damn Yankees tune right: You've got to have heart. In this case, the Heart of Florida United Way — a partnership that should boost the commission's sagging reputation, staff and funding streams.

Reaching the 10-year goal remains an uphill climb. But perhaps with its sure-footed new partner, the commision finally can gain significant traction.